TIFTON, Ga. - Despite the market issues faced by U.S. peanut producers, the salmonella recall and an oversupply of peanuts, U.S. government purchases of peanut butter have declined by 63 percent since peak purchases in 1992. The Georgia Peanut Commission is requesting assistance on behalf of Georgia’s 4,500 peanut growers and urging USDA to purchase peanut butter in the government feeding program.

The commission sent a letter on May 7 to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack requesting USDA to purchase peanut butter in the government feeding program. Earlier this year Sec. Vilsack announced increased purchases of dry milk, turkey, pork, lamb and walnuts.

“ We believe the peanut industry has faced an extremely trying quarter and would benefit greatly from additional government purchases,” says Armond Morris, chairman of the Georgia Peanut Commission. “These purchases would not only increase product demand, but would also show government confidence in peanut products in the wake of the salmonella recall.”

Peanut butter purchases by USDA peaked in the early 1990s with 82,053,775 pounds and now have diminished to 30,694,365 for the 2007/2008 year.
State and Federal government research support that peanut butter is one of the more nutritious products for kids and adults. Peanut butter is rich in protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals.

“ During one of the most difficult economic periods for our nation, peanut butter offers a low cost, healthy product for America’s families,” Morris says. “This is an opportunity for the USDA to assist consumers with a nutritious, low-cost product and help peanut producers too.”

The commission along with eleven peanut organizations and the American Farm Bureau Federation and the National Farmers Union signed onto the letter to urge Sec. Vilsack to increase the USDA feeding program purchases of peanut butter to the purchase levels of the early 1990s.